Friendly Ice Cream Corp. named Harsha Agadi its chairman and chief executive officer. Agadi replaces Ned R. Lidvall, who left Friendly's to pursue other interests, according to a company press release.

With 24 years of foodservice industry experience, Agadi previously served as president and CEO of Church's Chicken and continues to serve as a shareholder and board member. He began his foodservice career focused on pizza, with positions at Pizza Hut, Domino's and Little Caesar's.

Lidvall joined Friendly's in 2008 following his tenure as president and CEO of Rock Bottom Restaurants, Inc.